1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 309 1-3 In Memory 1-4 of 1-5 John Douglas Wendell 1-6 WHEREAS, The passing of the Honorable John Douglas Wendell 1-7 of Fulton on March 17, 2000, at the age of 77, brought great sorrow 1-8 to the family and friends of this esteemed public servant; and 1-9 WHEREAS, Elected Aransas County judge on January 2, 1951, 1-10 when he was 28 years old, Judge Wendell retired in 1990 after 39 1-11 years in office; he enjoyed the distinction of being both the 1-12 youngest county judge elected in Texas and the longest-serving 1-13 county judge in the state; and 1-14 WHEREAS, During his tenure, Judge Wendell played a major 1-15 role in putting Aransas County finances on a firm footing; he 1-16 was also instrumental in pushing through a number of major 1-17 construction projects, including the Aransas County Library, 1-18 the new courthouse and courthouse addition, the county tax office, 1-19 the county's first juvenile detention center, and renovations at 1-20 the county jail; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Judge Wendell helped to acquire the Aransas County 1-22 Airport from the United States Navy after World War II and assisted 1-23 in its development, and he aided in planning and securing the land 2-1 for the State Highway 35 bypass; and 2-2 WHEREAS, In addition to the vital work he performed 2-3 in the county's quest for essential facilities, Judge Wendell 2-4 initiated a contract with The University of Texas Medical Branch 2-5 at Galveston that provides for the treatment of indigent 2-6 Aransas County patients, and he served as county superintendent 2-7 of the Aransas County Independent School District; and 2-8 WHEREAS, Commended by colleagues for his fairness, 2-9 compassion, commitment to high standards, and staunch dedication 2-10 to Aransas County, Judge Wendell won the respect of all who knew 2-11 him, and it is a privilege now to honor the memory of this 2-12 outstanding Texan; now, therefore, be it 2-13 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-14 77th Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the life of the 2-15 Honorable John Douglas Wendell and extend sincere sympathy 2-16 to his loved ones: his daughter, Debra Ann Wendell; his sister 2-17 and brother-in-law, Yvonne Fairbrother and Tom Fairbrother; his 2-18 sisters-in-law, Yvonne Wendell, Jan Wendell, and Myrtle Wendell; 2-19 and his many other relatives and friends; and, be it further 2-20 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be 2-21 prepared for the members of his family as an expression of deepest 2-22 sympathy from the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns 2-23 this day, it do so in memory of Judge John Douglas Wendell. 2-24 Armbrister 2-25 ______________________________________ 2-26 President of the Senate 2-27 I hereby certify that the above 3-1 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-2 on February 21, 2001, by a rising vote. 3-3 ______________________________________ 3-4 Secretary of the Senate 3-5 ______________________________________ 3-6 Member, Texas Senate